1269. Our Roots Run Deep

For better viewing, here are the two paintings stacked.

This row of trees, which is actually just a partial view, is located in the south of Lebanon as you approach the village in Marjeyoun, which is where my very large Lebanese family originated.  On my visits to Marjeyoun, these trees captivated me and it took several years for me to be able to paint them.  It was only after I learned that a family member planted them so that they could have pine nuts was I able to paint them.  It changed everything.

This painting,  is comprised of two 12 x 24" paintings which are intended to be hung side by side is called a diptych which measures 12 x 48".  Because they were so far in the distance, a lot was left to my imagination.  I hope that I have captured their mystery and beauty.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1269-our-roots-run-deep/1165301

802. Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, a.k.a. "The Rached Church"

Today was the third and last day of my painting class with Milwaukee based artist, Shelby Keefe and lots of other really cool painters at The Peninsula School of Art.    Yesterday, Shelby's demonstration was of an architectural scene from her recent plein air painting trip to Cuba, and so I thought I should try to paint something in that genre.  Yikes.  I am far from a technical drawer and this was really difficult.  I learned so much from these three days that will carry me forward, most notably that I should take more time with my rendering and be much more purposeful with my brush strokes.  And that I need a bunch of new paintbrushes.    

This is a Catholic church in the south of Lebanon in my ancestors' village of Marjeyoun.  We still have family who live there--the most generous and hospitable people I've ever known.  The church is affectionately called "the Rached/Rashid Church" because the Rached/Rashid Family has helped maintain it throughout the war years and beyond.  It is quite beautiful and is a symbol of our family's connection to our heritage.  This painting will be donated to our 88th annual family reunion for their
raffle.

"802. Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, a.k.a. The Rached Church"
acrylic - 20x16 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/802-saints-peter-and-paul-catholic-church-aka-the-rached-church/482659

dianecampion.blogspot.com

234 Take Me Back Again

This is another painting of the same scene in Marjeyoun, Lebanon as painted about a week ago.  Please see my blog for the story of this painting.  I am having great difficulty getting the colors right in the photograph.  The background behind the trees is more greyish-light turquoise than appears here.